A housemaid, Chika Ukoha, who died in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory, on November 25,2011, was killed by the poison she ingested, an autopsy report has shown.

The autopsy, which was carried out at the National Hospital, Abuja, on December 5, 2013, suggested  that Chika died of “intracellular asphyxia” from poison as indicated by the “cyanosis  and shock” in kidney.

The 17-year-old girl had allegedly committed suicide by swallowing a concentrated insecticide, popularly known as sniper, after a disagreement with her employer, Madam Oluchi, over missing money.

The autopsy report, however, noted that the level of decomposition of the body did not permit “definite anatomic cause of death” and recommended toxicological examination of the stomach content, gall bladder and urine.

“A poorly embalmed, partially autolysed body of a young girl with shabbily cut braided hair with peripheral and central cyanosis, all internal organs were in state of decomposition. Freshly eaten rice meal seen in the stomach; kidney shows evidence of shock, no mark of violence except bruises on the face, congested lung.

“The level of decomposition will not permit definite anatomic cause of death, but the cyanosis and shock in kidney are suggestive of intracellular asphyxia from poison,” the report read.

The deceased, who completed her secondary school education in 2012, had been living with her employer for three years and was said to have passed her Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in flying colours through the encouragement of her employer before the tragedy.

Oluchi had been held in police custody since the incident, while police detectives probed the tragedy.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Altienne Daniel, said investigations into the matter would soon be concluded, adding that Oluchi may be charged for murder if indicted.

-Punch